Chapter 122

  The mule cart moved steadily, the axle creaking monotonously and rhythmically.

  Chao Sheng herself didn't even realize it, she clutched the small package tightly, sat stiffly without moving, and her palms were sweating.

  Gradually, the sounds outside the carriage grew more numerous and chaotic. Unable to bear it any longer, Chao Sheng slightly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to take a peek outside.

  Everything outside makes her feel...

  That's not true.

  Did she really leave the palace?

  But can she cope with life outside?

  Although she used to be a palace maid and a slave, she had already gotten used to that way of life.

  Leaving all that behind, what's waiting for her ahead?

  Chao Sheng took a deep breath.

  The car turned a corner and went up another street.

  "Uncle's voice came from outside: 'Do you still remember this street?'"

  Chao Sheng thought for a moment and said in a low voice: "I don't remember."

  She has no idea what it's like outside the palace.

  "Hmm, this street has changed a lot too. The road has been renovated and there weren't so many shops on both sides before."

  The original home of Chao Sheng was not close to the Cheng Wang Fu, the Cheng Wang Fu was in the west of the capital city, while Chao Sheng's home was in the south of the city. She had a lot on her mind, but didn't feel that this journey was long, only feeling as if it hadn't taken much time before the carriage came to a stop.

  "We're home, get off the bus."

  The tide was born like a dream at dawn, and hurriedly responded with a sound.

  The car curtain was lifted, and her uncle reached out to support her.

  His hands were all calluses.

  Just got off the bus and my legs felt like jelly. I hadn't moved for half a day and now they're numb.

  Her uncle helped her up and asked, "Are you okay?"

  "It's okay."

  The uncle let go of his hand and turned around to pay the carriage fare.

  Chao Sheng hugged his luggage and looked up at the door in front of him.

  Is it here?

  She didn't stay here for long and doesn't have a deep impression of this door.

  I vaguely remember it was like this.

  Green bricks and black tiles, a large bluestone is laid at the entrance. From deep in the alley comes the sound of children playing and chasing each other... Someone's family is washing clothes, the beating of the laundry mallet echoes loudly.

  Looking ahead, across several houses, is a major street in Nancheng. Further inside, that repainted door should be Aunt Qian's home...

  That's right, here it is.

  She felt at ease in her heart.

  After sending away the driver, Uncle looked at her and said again: "We're home."

  Chao nodded and watched as he went up and knocked on the door.

  "Who's there?"

  Is there anyone else at home?

  This family... isn't it just her and her uncle?

  Oh no.

  Chao Sheng immediately thought that perhaps her uncle had been married before, which means she also has an aunt. It's possible that he was married before or maybe during the few years after she entered the palace.

  Her heart rose slightly again.

  If there is an aunt, what kind of person is the aunt? Is she good or bad to get along with?

  Someone inside responded: "Coming, coming."

  It's indeed a woman's voice.

  The door opened from inside, and a woman wearing a green robe with a white scarf on her head was standing in the doorway.

  Chao Sheng gazed at her, and she also looked at Chao Sheng.

  No, Chao Sheng immediately thought, this must not be her aunt.

  This woman's hair has all turned white, she is old enough to be her grandmother.

  Could it be... this is really her grandmother?

  Chao Sheng was slightly bewildered, but more panicked.

  She didn't know what to call the woman in front of her.

  Who is she?

  What's going on? Is it going to be exposed?

  If it's a real Tsuujou, shouldn't you be able to recognize your own relatives?

  Cháo shēng de xīn dōu kuài yào tí dào sǎng zǐ yǎn er le.

  Translation: Chao Sheng's heart was almost in his throat.

  The woman was both shocked and delighted, she hadn't spoken yet, but tears were already streaming down her face. She grabbed Tidus's hand with one swift motion, then turned to the person standing beside him and asked: "I...is this really..."

  "Uncle nodded: 'Right, this is Chaosheng.'"

  He then said to Chao Sheng: "This is Mrs. Xu... she is your mother's elder. She used to live in the countryside, and I just brought her here."

  Ah... Well, since an introduction is needed, then this Mrs. Xu was not someone that Chao Sheng knew before.

  Chao Sheng let out a big sigh of relief and knelt down: "Yes, grandma."

  Although I don't know what kind of elder it is, in any case, it's an elder and should be treated with filial piety and courtesy.

  Mrs. Hua hurriedly said: "No need to be polite, no need to be polite... How can I let you pay respects to me? ... I was the servant who served your mother back then..."

  Huh?

  This relationship seems to be still very complicated.

  Uncle Chao carried two large bundles: "Let's talk about it after we go in."

  "Ah, right, I was mistaken, come on, let's go inside and talk."

  Chao Sheng responded with a sound and was half-supported and half-pulled by her into the door.

  The door next to it suddenly creaked open with a squeak, and when Chao Sheng turned his head to look, the door slammed shut again with a bang.

  Qian Aunt's home...

  Chao Sheng didn't pay much attention to that noise.

  Her full attention was focused on what was in front of her.

  The yard was obviously swept clean, with even the brick seams spotless and not a speck of dust on the window frames. The yard wasn't large, nor were there many odds and ends lying around.

  He walked through the courtyard and into the main house. The house was just like it had been in Chao's memory, with no major changes.

  No, there are changes too.

  The tide was born to remember when walking, the house seemed desolate and deserted. Now looking at it feels completely different, with a curtain hanging on the door, cushions placed on the chairs, and a set of tea utensils on the table... Such a small change, yet it makes people feel... warm.

  It's just a warm and homey atmosphere.

  No longer just her solitary, empty old house.

  "Tired, aren't you? These years have been hard on you......" Mrs. Xu pulled her down to sit, carefully examining Chao Sheng from head to toe, even flipping over his palms for a closer look. Large tears rolled out of her eyes, moving Chao Sheng to sorrow as well.

  When no one cares, even the bitterest days can be endured.

  But being asked like this, the hardships and bitterness that had been suppressed for many years suddenly burst out, pouring out in a torrent.

  "It's nothing... I was also quite lucky, and later on, the jobs I did in the Wang household were all easy and simple..."

  "What's good... being bullied and abused by those lowly servants, allowing others to insult and trample on us..." Madam Xu suddenly changed her expression, quickly shifting from sadness to anger: "It was all because of that group of wicked people framing Yǒngzi, we can't let them get away with this"

  Is Yūko talking about her uncle?

  Chao Sheng felt a little strange.

  What is the relationship between Mrs. Xu and this family?

  She calls herself a servant girl, but she doesn't show any respect or courtesy to her uncle, instead treating him like one of her own younger relatives.

  Hmmm... probably Uncle was also raised by her when he was young? So although they are called master and servant, their relationship is like family.

  So what's this frame-up that Mrs. Xu was talking about?

  Chao Sheng felt that she had too many questions, one after another.

  But she didn't rush.

  Now that she's back, she'll find out sooner or later anyway.

  "Hurry up, I've boiled some hot water for you to wash with. Let's go out and get some fresh air. Don't think about what happened before, from now on... your mother-in-law will take care of you and won't let you suffer anymore..."

  The tide was not yet able to say two sentences, and was pushed into the inner room.

  Inside the house, a brand new large wooden bucket had been placed. It was filled to the brim with water, and on the windowsill next to it were arranged towels, bean flour, handkerchiefs, hair ribbons... even a small bottle of perfume.

  This lineup...

  As soon as she turned her head to look again, there was a small screen fan with two fans beside the bathtub, and on it was a set of new clothes, which must have been prepared for her.

  Mrs. Xu must have gotten up early and started busy, right? She's not young anymore, how can she carry a big bucket of hot water?

  Chao Sheng's eyes were a bit blurry - perhaps it was the steam from the bucket that had risen.

  "Cháo shēng a, nǐ zì jǐ néng xǐ me?"

  Translation: "Tide born ah, can you wash yourself?"

  "Can, can." Chao Sheng hastily responded: "I can handle it myself."

  Mrs. Xu said: "I'll be waiting outside the door, if you need anything just call me."

  "Hmm..."

  Chao Sheng put down the small bundle she was carrying, slowly pulled out her hairpins, and her hair slid down loosely, covering one shoulder.

  After soaking in hot water, everyone becomes soft.

  A wave is born, lifting a handful of water, watching the water droplets slide down from between the fingers, like a grain of glass beads, and falling back into the bucket.

  Finally, there's some real feeling.

  Is this her home?

  That's... this is her home.

  It's her own home.

  Not someone else's place.

  She is not a slave here.

  There is also her family here.

  Uncle, Mrs. Xu...

  The tide was born with his head leaning against the edge of the bucket, and he let out a gentle sigh.

  The feeling in her heart, she couldn't describe it.

  It's as if my chest is filled with hot water, and I feel an indescribable sense of fullness and comfort.

  Chao Sheng was washing quickly, and Mrs. Xu knocked on the door at just the right time. Chao Sheng was just tying her skirt, and Mrs. Xu asked from outside: "Can I come in?"

  "Come in, mother-in-law," said Chao Sheng hurriedly.

  Mrs. Xu was not tall, and Chao Sheng was a head taller than her.

  Mrs. Xu came in with a box, looking at Chao Sheng's somewhat shy appearance, her eyes were red again: "Oh, you look just like your mother... Come sit down, I'll comb your hair."

  Chao Sheng sat down on the stool, and Mrs. Xu patiently helped her dry her hair, changing three towels in the process. Then she carefully combed out her tangled locks.

  "When your mother was unmarried, I served her like this... In the blink of an eye, her daughter has grown up so big, but unfortunately she can't see it..."

  Chao Sheng didn't know what to say to her, gently pressing down on the hand she had placed on his shoulder: "Don't be too sad, Mother."

  "It's okay, don't be sad." Mrs. Xu wiped away a tear: "Look at me, I'm all old and muddled. Today is a good day, I just said those things for nothing."

  Chao Sheng slowly lifted up the dressing table, and in the copper mirror reflected her face and that of Mrs. Xu.

  "Grandma, tell me about things in the past."

  "Alright, what is it you want to ask?" said Mrs. Xu with a smile.

  "My mother's affair."

  "Good..."

  Before the mother-in-law could continue, a loud crash suddenly came from outside, as if something heavy had slammed into the front gate. A woman wailed: "I'm going to die... you've driven me to a dead end, I'll smash my head on your doorstep..."

  What's wrong?

  This voice sounds somewhat familiar... Chao Sheng rummaged through his memories...

  This is Aunt Qian's voice.

  Yes, no mistake.

  It's Aunt Qian. Chao Sheng had received her help at that time, and Aunt Qian's voice was loud, so the impression was very deep.

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